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Sugary sodas will be pulled from nation's schools
Children will soon have to wait until school's out to pop the top on sugary soft drinks blamed for much of the rise in childhood obesity. Non-diet sodas will be yanked from schools, and other drinks will be downsized under a deal announced Wednesday by former President Bill Clinton and the nation's largest beverage distributors. "This is a truly bold step forward in the struggle to help 35 million young people lead healthier lives," said Clinton, whose foundation has targeted obesity in children for the past year. "This one policy can add years and years and years to the lives of a very large number of young people." Most elementary schools are already soda-free. But under the new deal, beverage companies agreed to sell only water, unsweetened juice and low-fat and non-fat milk to elementary and middle schools. Diet sodas and sports drinks will remain in high schools. … Richard Daynard, a law professor at Northeastern University, said he had been negotiating a similar deal on behalf of public health and consumer groups that were preparing to sue beverage makers. The move follows a mounting wave of regulation by school boards and legislators alarmed by the health problems that can follow childhood obesity. Soda has been a particular target because of its high calories and popularity among children. Daynard said that in recent years the 10 largest cities had already banned soda sales in schools.
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